Wednesday 24 August 2011

A clean-freak in paradise!

Hi all, I've found something else I can clean!  I thought I'd show you some before and after photos of my copics. I've spent the last couple of days cleaning them up with some rubbing alcohol. It's only after seeing these photos that I realise just how mucky my poor markers were....the ink was literally congealed and sticky around the ends of the markers and in the lids.


BEFORE:
These weren't even the worst!

Caps like this had to be soaked to loosen some of the gunky ink

The ink on that Y28 in the foreground was actually hard!!

Oh, the shame! How could I do this to my beloved markers?

Well, these babies are workhorses, you know!


AFTER:
Shiny shiny markers; happy face :)

Please tell me I'm not the only shamefully grubby colourer!

It took me about 150-200 ml of alcohol , many cotton buds (Q Tips), 2 pairs of protective gloves, loads of paper towels, and a big fat fume-induced headache to clean about 200 markers, but now they are gleaming.

Happy cleaning!


18 comments:

chrissy xx said...

Course you are the only one 'shamefully grubby
colourer' he! he! Even those rubber gloves look a mess!!
Chrissyxx

Judie said...

Great job of cleaning, they look Spic and Spam.
Love it.

Judie

Janette said...

Oh Carole the shame...lol...don't be daft, how can you be alone in this, I don't use copics but I still get into a state no matter what I do..lol...xxx

Carrie's Corner said...

You and my sister have so much in common. This would have driven her crazy til they were clean. Good thing she doesn't see my markers, although if she did maybe she would clean them for me :)

Hugs
Carrie

Stamps and Paper said...

Well you have certainly made a good job of cleaning up your Copics...you are not the only one whos pens get in a state...


Anne

Doreen said...

Shame on you fancy letting your markers get that bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xxx

Vicky said...

Ooooh....nice and clean...but for how long..lol..!

hugs Vicky xx

jeanie g said...

TWO HUNDRED PENS!!!! Do you really have 200? I would get them insured they must be worth a bomb, I'm too mean to buy then as they cost so much. lol Tell you what Carole next time they need cleaning send for me and I'll have a borrow at the same time He he. xx Hope you're over the headache.

Barbara Sproatmeyer (LM2) said...

I'm not looking forward to that headache but I suppose it will be worth the effort. :D And in case you're wondering... yep, mine are just as bad! LOL

melsanford said...

Oh, don't they look lovely now! Worth all the effort - hope your headache is better soon! Love 'n' hugs, Mel xx

Jackie said...

Oh dear Carole, what a mess, how do you do it? I have to say that my Copics remain clean but I get covered in it :o)
Jackie xx

Joan Ervin said...

You are a better woman than me, gf...mine are a murky mess and I don't see a cleaning in their future...LOL!!! It's surprising how a little alcohol and elbow greese makes them look brand new....I tell ya, I need a fairy stamping Godmother who will come in the middle of the night to clear my craft room!!!!

Joanne said...

WOW!! FAB job, they look brand spankin' new! I only wish I HAD 200 Copic's to clean!!!! You must have darn near all of them you lucky lady!!! Great jog, hugs, J:)

Carole S said...

Hi Cob, great tutorial (where do you get the rubbing alcohol), My pens are nice and clean he he, that is cause I have hardly used them yet !!!!!!!. love from "HER", Carole xxx

Carole of Brum said...

Thanks Carole. I bought the alcohol through Amazon from a place called Shiny Hardware, I just ran a search on Amazon for "isopropyl alcohol" and it cost me £6.99 for 500ml with free postage.

Lynne in NI said...

Will you come and do mine now ... I've only got about 30, so it'll not take you just as long LOL!

Teresa said...

Shall I get a ticket a wait in line? You are coming round to clean everyones markers arn't you? Mine need it too, thanks for the tip Carol. hugs Teresa xx

Rachel x said...

Hey again :) Just had to say- this must have been very satisfying!! :) Exhausting, I'm sure, but a restful interlude for the brain... can you tell I get obsessed with doing things like this, too!?!lol It's like Pringles- once you start, you can't stop!!lol Don't envy you the fume-induced headache though- I find my PMs stinky enough at times!! :S Rxxx